Kitchens Continued from Page 48 you, ceramic countertops should be considered. Big in California for years, ceramic tiles are just starting to catch on here thanks to their "authentic" look and to the fact that a hot pot won't damage them. condominiums "'" topm,,* 4 44 4114 2 BEDROOM 2 BATH RANCH CONDOMINIUMS NATURAL FIREPLACE/WET BAR SKYLIGHTS/VAULTED CEILINGS WHIRLPOOL TUB/1st FLOOR LAUNDRY ATTACHED GARAGE/BUILT-IN APPLIANCES FARMINGTON HILLS Open Daily 12-6 p.m. 788-7150 Prices from 5165,900 ANOTHER FINE PRESENTATION FROM: \ ESA ARTS M AMERICAN SOUTHWEST • Paintings • Kachinas • Pottery • Sculpture • Jewelry • Folk Art Gallery Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10-4 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. or by appointment 32800 Franklin Rd., Franklin, MI (313) 851.9949 74 HOME 1 C l A e?1" . m a p D SA AR "I had it in my last house and I lov- ed it," says Huntzinger. But ceramic has disadvantages: if you drop something on it, it is possi- ble to chip and/or break the tiles. Ceramic is also considerably more expensive than laminate. If your goal is to have the hottest, newest kitchen in town, then granite will be your first choice for counter- top material. Virtually indestructible, this black-and-white flecked stone lends a modern, high tech look to any home. Some decorators even say that you can build a bonfire on it and nothing will happen to it. If you cut on it with a knife, it will leave marks — on the metal of the knife, not on the granite. But be prepared to pay dearly for granite. A countertop can cost be- tween $5,000 and $7500. Incidentally, plastic laminate and Corian come in a granite pattern. To use these new materials in your kitchen without going broke, try mix- ing materials for your countertops.A kitchen with all-laminate countertops except for the island, which has a ceramic countertop is an interesting touch. Appliances such as self-cleaning ovens and microwaves are now stan- dard in most modern kitchens. According to Russell Danielson of Farmington Cabinet Co., popular choices for appliances are the Subzero refrigerator, Thermador oven, and Gaggeneau cooktops. Microwaves are now available with built-in turntables and automatic cooking time sensors. Prices range from $89 for the simplest microwave to $500 for the most complex. Pana- sonic, Sharp and Litton are popular brands. Russell Danielson of Farmington Cabinet notes the return to home cooking. "Cooking in the home as opposed to going out is a more popular approach to entertaining."